14 Things You Can Do to Reduce the Amount of Money You Have to Spend on Gas

Costs, Time, and Tradeoffs in Plain English

Implementing these fuel saving tips requires almost zero upfront capital and asks only for a modest shift in your daily routines. Your primary investment is simply the time it takes to plan your trips, download a fuel tracking application, or perform a basic visual inspection of your vehicle. Purchasing a reliable digital tire pressure gauge costs roughly $10 to $15, while a replacement engine air filter runs between $15 and $25 at most auto parts stores. These small purchases boast an incredibly fast payback period; properly inflated tires and clean filters can pay for themselves in fuel savings within two to three months of average driving.

The main tradeoff you will encounter is a slight loss of spontaneity and speed. Consolidating your errands means you cannot simply jump in the car for a single item without sacrificing efficiency. Driving at the speed limit rather than keeping pace with the fastest highway traffic will add a few minutes to your commute. However, a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation reveals the value of these minor inconveniences. If you drive 15,000 miles a year in a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon, you purchase 600 gallons of fuel annually. If gas costs $3.50 per gallon, your annual fuel budget is $2,100. Improving your fuel efficiency by just 15 percent through better driving habits and maintenance saves 90 gallons of gas, keeping $315 in your bank account every single year.